When the immigration officer asked “will they be flying back alone?” we knew it was serious!

24 hours earlier…

And we’re off! Our journey to Udyan commenced in the early hours of Saturday morning. The journey was smooth – playing cards, shopping and bubble tea – right up until the point of the entry of Kolkata where we nearly lost a member of the team! A clerical error on their part with the visa application, but we managed to get across the border in the end!

On the bus journey through the city we experienced a side of the world we had never seen before. Noise, cows and driving more ‘highway man’ than ‘highway code’. Not the touristic side of world most of us are used to. The food was also massive shock – nothing like what we’re used to from the curry house. All fresh ingredients grown on the grounds – potatoes, spinach, cauliflower and aubergine. Boiled eggs, dhal, and of course rice.

When we met the children both groups were shy to interact at first but in no time were dancing, singing playing games with each other all afternoon. We taught the girls at Udyan a dance and they did the same in return. The afternoon was spent full of games and laughter with the girls and later introducing ourselves to the rest of the home in a more formal presentation.

We ended the night was a reflection on the chaotic day before heading down for an early night (8pm) as the day begins at 5am.

We’re excited for what lies ahead in the following couple of weeks!